News

FOLS Briefing for Forestry Corporation of NSW Contractors

Forestry Corporation of NSW and ForestWorks are hosting meetings in Grafton and Wauchope this week for the NSW harvesting and haulage companies who have adopted FOLS.

The meetings provide an opportunity for ForestWorks to collect intelligence on regional VET requirements now and in the future as part of ForestWorks ITAB role in NSW. FOLS analysis has aided this process by providing a clear picture of current skills.

The meetings will provide businesses with the opportunity to discuss their experience with FOLS and the next steps in the management of FOLS, including how they can get the most out of the skills verification program and to ask questions.

In February this year, Forestry Corporation of NSW, in their northern hardwood forests around Coffs Harbour, Wauchope and Grafton, asked its contractors to move all operators on to FOLS.

Forestry Corporation’s Harvest and Haulage Contractor and Procurement Manager, Mark Hitchins said so far 18 harvesting and haulage companies have moved their operators over to FOLS and they have been impressed with how easy the process has been. Approximately 200 operators have had their skills verified through FOLS.

“It is a really effective and transparent system for managing the skills and competencies of our workforce.”

“Up until now we didn’t have a clear picture of where the skills gaps were. Now we can work with contractors to fill those gaps,” said Mark.

FOLS is a national industry-led program, managed by ForestWorks. For more information about the FOLS Skills Verification Program, visit fols.forestworks.com.au.